If you've had unprotected sex, there's a possibility that you may be pregnant. But once you start having the early signs of pregnancy ? absence of menstruation, morning sickness, bloating and swelling of the breasts ? you might begin to believe that you are indeed pregnant. However, the next question is: what do you do if you think you're pregnant.
First of all, you need to confirm your suspicions with an at home pregnancy test. You can find these at grocery stores, retailers, as well as your local pharmacy. For about ten dollars, you'll be able to use a home pregnancy test that's just as effective as the doctor's office testing. Most tests are designed to be highly sensitive to the hormone that is produced during pregnancy, so you can use the test at any time ? older tests used to need the first urine output of the morning to be able to detect the HcG hormones.
Follow the directions closely to make sure that you're going to get an accurate result. Any human error can cause a false negative reading (false positives are harder to product) leading you to believe that you're not pregnant when you are. You will need to urinate on the testing stick for a number of seconds, or you can urinate into a provided cup and dip the stick into the urine. After about three minutes, the test will be complete and you will have your result. For most positive readings, you will be able to see the positive reading at about the two minute point. The results will not be valid after a half an hour or so, so you need to time this exactly.
If you've gotten a positive reading, you'll want to call your gynecologist in order to confirm your results. At that appointment, if your results are confirmed, you can speak to him or her about finding an obstetrician or midwife to help you with the prenatal care. Finding good medical care as you go through your pregnancy is vitally important for your health and the health of your unborn child. Just finding out that you're pregnant isn't enough ? you need to be closely monitored throughout your pregnancy to be sure that you're getting the care that you need.
However, if this is a pregnancy that was not planned or is something that you're not ready for, talk to your doctor about these feelings. They may be able to guide you to options that will work for your current position ? abortion or adoption. These are difficult things to consider, but talking with a medical professional about them will aid in your getting the proper care for your decision.
If you've excited about the pregnancy, it's time to start caring for this little life inside of you. You want to begin reading as much as you can about fetal development and pregnancy in order to know everything that you can. At times, all of this information will be overwhelming, but it's good that you start to educate yourself outside of the doctor's office. When you have questions, don't be afraid to call your doctor, your mother or your best friend for help.
And start taking care of your new life by eating right and exercising moderately. If there was ever a time to make sure that you're getting the right fruits and vegetables in your diet, this is it. Start drinking more water and take the time to rest when you get tired. If you're suffering from morning sickness, you might want to talk to your doctor about ways to alleviate the symptoms naturally ? motion sickness bands and ginger might be some suggestions that you receive.
But before you start to delve too much into your pregnancy, tell someone! This is your time to celebrate your becoming a mother. Talk to your family, your friends, and whoever else will listen about your pregnancy. You will find that you will have an easier time in pregnancy when you tell more people as they can give you advice as well as a person to talk to if things become difficult.
Pregnancy is a joyous time that's also filled with responsibility. For you and your unborn child, you need to begin to take care of yourself immediately. So if you think that you may be pregnant, take a home test and find out if you can begin picking out the colors for the nursery.
Copyright 2006 WomanCentric Inc.
Each year, more than 2 million Americans are given powerful prescription painkillers that contain opiods (sometimes called narcotics) for the relief of pain and discomfort brought on by injury, surgery, menstrual cramps, and even headaches. But a growing number of people taking these medications are becoming addicted to them. And it's not hard to understand why.
Drugs such as Vicodin, Percocet, and Methadone block pain all the way from the nerve endings in the skin to the spinal cord to the brain. Once these drugs reach the brain, they open the floodgates for the chemical dopamine, which triggers feelings of well-being. Dopamine, in effect, rewires the brain to become accustomed to those pleasant feelings. So when you stop taking the pain-killer, your body will still have a strong craving for the dopamine. This is what makes it so hard to quit. Symptoms of withdrawal can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes with goose bumps (which is the origin of the term "cold turkey"), and involuntary leg movements. Better to avoid getting hooked in the first place.
Chemical dependency can happen to anyone, and it can easily sneak up on you. Here are 10 things you should look out for if you or someone you know is currently taking prescription painkillers:
1. An increase in usage As time goes by, the effects of the initial dose will lessen, prompting a desire for stronger or more frequent doses of the prescribed medication. This is a clear indication that whatever amount they have been taking is no longer providing the same level of relief.
2. Personality changes Changes in a person's normal behavior can be a sign of dependency. Shifts in energy, mood, and concentration may occur as every day responsibilities become secondary to the need for the relief the prescription provides.
3. Withdrawing socially This is one of the clearest signs of a dependency problem. Spending more time alone and away from friends and family and social gatherings is a cause for concern.
4. Continuing meds too long Extending the prescription beyond the initial period, especially after the condition has improved, can be the beginning of an endless cycle. The patient may even believe he or she is still in pain and simply needs to stay on the meds for a few more weeks or months. He or she might even express anger toward a doctor who questions the need to renew the prescription.
5. Too much time spent getting meds There are no lengths to which a chemically dependent person will not go to obtain the drugs they think they need. This can become an all-consuming obsession, including traveling long distances and visiting many doctors. When getting the drugs seems to be the number one priority, the situation is getting out of hand.
6. Habits and appearance changes A deterioration in physical appearance and grooming�"including not bathing or shaving regularly�"is a common result of drug addiction. There may be a general look of unhealthiness, such as persistent coughing and red eyes. Sleeping and eating patterns often become irregular.
7. Failure to meet responsibilities Sudden changes in work or school attendance and a decline in quality of work or grades are common, as well as forgetting to pay bills and missing appointments.
8. Becoming oversensitive One consequence of using potent drugs is that the body's response to any sort of stimulation is heightened. For example, a person may have an overly emotional reaction to traffic noise or bright lights�"possibly including hallucinations.
9. Forgetfulness and blacking out A person who is suffering from chemical dependency will forget things that have happened and may even experience memory gaps of several hours.
10. Denial and becoming defensive Presented with even a hint that they may be addicted, those hooked on drugs will vehemently deny it. The harder you push, the more defensive they are like to get. They might even react to simple questions with an angry outburst.
Additional signs of chemical dependency include an inability to relax or have fun, talking incoherently or making inappropriate remarks, and expressing feelings of exhaustion, depression, and hopelessness.
Remember that painkillers are a blessing that can turn into a curse. And that it is a lot easier to avoid becoming addicted than it is to recover from drug addiction. As long as you follow your doctor's instructions (and you have others around you to make sure you do), these prescription medications will what they were designed to do�"and nothing more.
Both Jacqueline Flynn & Jesse Cannone are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Jacqueline Flynn has sinced written about articles on various topics from Babies, Pregnancy Problems and Pregnancy Trimester. is the most recent women's resource site from Jacqueline Flynn. She is the founder and President of WomanCentric.com.. Jacqueline Flynn's top article generates over 6600 views. to your Favourites.
Jesse Cannone has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Backpain and Acupuncture Chiropractor. If you enjoyed this article, and would like more information in alternative back pain treatments sign up for our Back Pain Advisory and you will join the nearly 1 million people that have received this life changing information. Please visit our new web s. Jesse Cannone's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.